Judge dismisses Ohio birth control lawsuit

COLUMBUS -- A judge has dismissed a Roman Catholic school's lawsuit over the federal mandate requiring most employers to cover birth control on the grounds the government has taken enough steps to address the school's concerns.

Franciscan University of Steubenville and an association of Michigan Roman Catholic dioceses sued last year, saying the mandate violated religious freedom by requiring a Catholic entity such as the university to comply.

President Barack Obama has proposed alternatives to accommodate religious groups, but U.S. Catholic bishops still say the contraceptive mandate violates their First Amendment rights.

Federal Judge Algenon Marbley dismissed the lawsuit Friday at the government's request, siding with its argument that the groups likely won't suffer the harm they allege because of the mandate.

Franciscan University was preparing a statement late Friday afternoon.